Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major centre of faith-driven economic growth over the past nine years, with the state government asserting that tourism, religious infrastructure and cultural revival have together accelerated the rise of what it describes as a “Temple Economy.”
Speaking at a press conference at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow, Jaiveer Singh said that under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, the state has undergone a major transformation in tourism and culture, with religious destinations now emerging as engines of economic activity.
According to official figures for 2025, Uttar Pradesh recorded more than 1.56 billion tourist visits, including 3.6 million foreign tourists.
UP Tops India in Domestic Tourism
The state has now secured the first position nationally in domestic tourism, reflecting a sharp rise in religious and cultural travel.
Officials say this growth has been driven largely by expanded pilgrimage infrastructure and major religious redevelopment projects.
Ayodhya, Kashi and Prayagraj Account for 90% Tourist Footfall
Three major pilgrimage centres – Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj – together attracted over 1.16 billion tourists.
This accounts for nearly 90 percent of the total tourist footfall recorded in the state.
Ayodhya Sees Massive Surge After Ram Temple Development
The construction of the grand Ram Mandir has dramatically increased visitor inflow to Ayodhya.
Officials estimate that around 300 million devotees visited Ayodhya during 2025 alone.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Multiplies Varanasi Footfall
The development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has resulted in a four-to-five-fold increase in pilgrim arrivals in Varanasi.
Officials describe this as one of the most significant tourism transformations in the state.
Temple Economy Expands Beyond Pilgrimage
According to the government, religious tourism is now directly influencing multiple sectors of the economy.
These include:
- hotels
- transport
- handicrafts
- local retail trade
- event services
The government says this is creating a broader temple-linked economic ecosystem.
Religious Festivals Become Economic Growth Centres
Large-scale religious festivals are now functioning as major economic drivers.
Deepotsav, Dev Deepawali and Rangotsav Gain Global Attention
Major cultural events include:
- Deepotsav
- Dev Deepawali
- Braj Rangotsav
These events have drawn national and international attention for scale and participation.
2.6 Million Lamps Lit During Deepotsav 2025
During Deepotsav 2025 in Ayodhya, over 2.6 million earthen lamps were lit, creating a new world record.
Officials say such events now generate substantial seasonal income for local economies.
Special Development Councils Created for Religious Circuits
The government has constituted special development councils for planned religious infrastructure expansion in key spiritual regions.
These include:
- Ayodhya
- Braj
- Vindhyachal
- Chitrakoot
- Naimisharanya
Tourism Infrastructure Expands Across State
Large-scale investment has also gone into tourism-related public infrastructure.
Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan Completed in Ghaziabad
The Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan has been completed to support pilgrimage facilitation.
Subsidies for Pilgrimage Schemes Continue
The state is also offering subsidies for:
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- Sindhu Darshan pilgrimage
Heliport and Helicopter Connectivity Expanded
Heliport services have started in:
- Agra
- Mathura
Helicopter services are also operational in:
- Lucknow
- Prayagraj
₹36,681 Crore Investment Under Tourism Policy 2022
Under the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, investments worth over ₹36,681 crore have already materialised on the ground.
The state estimates that these investments can generate nearly 500,000 jobs.
Youth Integration Through Tourism Employment
The government says youth participation is being actively encouraged.
₹40,000 Monthly Stipend Announced
A monthly stipend of ₹40,000 has been introduced under selected tourism-linked programmes.
Tourism Police and Guides Deployed
To improve visitor experience and safety:
- special tourism police units have been deployed
- 850 trained guides have been appointed in major cities
Rural Tourism Expansion Underway
The state is also pushing village-based tourism.
- A total of 234 villages have been selected for tourism-based development.
- The government aims to develop 50,000 home-stay rooms by 2026–27.
- Eco-tourism is being developed across 16 wildlife areas in the state.
Ancient Temple Restoration Scheme Implemented
A separate scheme for renovation of temples and monasteries over 100 years old is also being implemented.
Faith, Tourism and Infrastructure Becoming Integrated Development Model
Officials say Uttar Pradesh’s tourism growth model now combines religious heritage, infrastructure expansion and local employment generation.
The government argues that this integrated model is reshaping the state’s development narrative through culture-led economics.
